Chiefs’ Mecole Hardman can be much more than a gadget receiver in 2022

There are some misconceptions about Kansas Metropolis Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman heading into the 2022 NFL year.

One particular of the most repeated misconceptions is the concept that Hardman only thrives as a gadget receiver. That is to say that he demands created touches, often guiding the line of scrimmage, in purchase to have good results in Andy Reid’s offense. Points like display screen passes, reverses and so on.

There is no denying this distinct part has been a significant component of his game above the previous 3 seasons. Last 12 months, he even excelled at it, recording a whopping 487 yards soon after the catch, great for seventh-most among the receivers in the NFL’s regular time. He will go on to have accomplishment in the job, but it won’t be the only role for him in Kansas Town going ahead.

Hardman doesn’t have a lot of working experience performing as the team’s guide receiver with Tyreek Hill on the sidelines, but when he’s experienced the prospect, he flashed. Back in 2019, Hardman’s regular depth of target was 12.25 from 7 days 2 by means of 7 days 5 when Hill was out with a sternoclavicular joint dislocation. This is to say that on ordinary, he was catching passes much more than 12 yards previous the line of scrimmage. Hardman’s typical depth of target extrapolated in excess of the training course of a period would have been great for 36th in the NFL. Hill, who is regarded as the league’s leading deep risk, has under no circumstances experienced a lot more than 12.9 normal depth of goal in a one period.

For reference, Marquez Valdes-Scantling has led the NFL in common depth of goal in each and every of the previous two seasons (over 18 every time). It’s tough to think about Hardman hitting Valdes-Scantling’s quantities (specifically when they are on the similar team), but it is not unreasonable to imagine he could at minimum match the league regular (close to 10 yards) in a season with a greater share of possibilities.

If that isn’t ample evidence that Hardman can excel as much more than a gadget receiver, take into account how very good he is at making separation. Previous year, Hardman’s goal separation in opposition to guy coverage ranked the 2nd-very best in the NFL among receivers per PlayerProfiler.com with 2.83 yards of separation per concentrate on. Basically, in man protection cases where by he was focused, Hardman was getting open with some of the optimum frequency in the NFL.

But wait around, there is even a lot more.

You may not imagine of Hardman as an elite goal in the pink zone due to the fact of his dimensions and skillset. He only had a 6% contested capture charge last 12 months, which is not very superior. But he also finished 16th in the NFL with 16 targets and nine receptions in the red zone. Two of those receptions resulted in touchdowns and the rest assisted the Chiefs get into place to put up points.

It is easy to understand that persons are skeptical of Hardman following his 1st a few seasons in the league. There are also plenty of motives to be optimistic that he can prosper in an expanded role exactly where he’s asked to do far more than he was in prior seasons.